2024 Bicycle Trip: An Imprudent Puppy's 6-Day Cross-Country Cycling Challenge (Day 1)
- Original source
- blog.naver.com
October 2, 2024
I went to bed early the night before. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to fall asleep, but the 46.99 km ride and the anticipation must have worn me out because I slept soundly. I woke up in the morning, had a meal prepared by my sister-in-law, and loaded my gear onto the bicycle. She thought we were doing something admirable and packed us snacks for the road. Instead of taking the same route as yesterday, there was a convenient path that followed Cheongna Lake Park all the way to Jeongseojin.
The bike path along the lake park.
This route was much easier than yesterday's, so I felt like luck was on our side from the start.
Now, the real cross-country cycling begins!
Today, we're heading from Cheongna along the Ara Canal to the Bloom Vista Hotel in Yangpyeong.
Our route: Ara West Sea Lock - Ara Hangang Lock - Yeouido - Ttukseom Complex - Gwangnaru Bicycle Park - Neungnae Station - Yangpyeong Bike Rest Area - Bloom Vista Hotel. Approximately 124 km.
Let's go, let's go, let's go!
The wheels are turning,
The landscape approaches.
We start with enthusiasm!
My younger sibling gave me a bicycle journal as a gift long before the pandemic.
I'm now carefully using this journal that had been resting after I finished recording my rides along the Seomjin River, Yeongsan River, and Geum River.
Around this point, we replenished our energy with fruit and chamomile tea and took a breather.
It was delicious - that's a secret! (lol)
Back on the pedals, we arrived at the Yeouido Certification Center.
Now, we're heading to the Ttukseom Observatory Complex Certification Center. We passed under the Jamsu Bridge and moved to the north side of the Han River.
By this time, it was lunchtime.
When I'm at the Han River, I always crave Han River ramen.
I wanted to have Spicy Seafood Noodle Ramen, but it wasn't available at the convenience store, so I ended up swapping it for Shin Ramyun.
Still delicious!
This is the Yongbi Bridge convenience store.
We mustered our strength and crossed over to the south side of the Han River this time. We crossed the Gwangjin Bridge. We talked about memories of working near Songpa before returning to the countryside, and about the changes and the unchanging aspects of Seoul.
When we arrived at Gwangnaru Bicycle Park, the crowds thinned out and it became quieter. But the midday sun made my face taste salty.
Now, we're entering Gyeonggi Province.
This is the Han River as seen from the Gwangjin Bridge.
We passed through tunnels that I'd seen countless times on You*ube. We also overcame the IU Hill. I was really scared, but my training paid off. ^^
We also passed the Yangpyeong Railroad Bridge.
We arrived at Neungnae Station. The sun was starting to set. We couldn't take emotionally fulfilling pictures because we still had a long way to go, so we left immediately.
I like all kinds of donuts, and I heard that people come here just to buy the donuts, so I bought plenty, even for the kids. Um... Maybe because they were cold, the taste was just so-so...
We ate the donuts and rested on the bench for a while.
The days are getting shorter, the shadows are getting longer, and my strength is waning.
Where shall we go? Where shall we go?
We barely made it to the Yangpyeong County Art Museum Rest Area. There wasn't even time to leisurely enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Han River. We have to get to our lodging. Huff huff huff huff.
There was a hill on the way that almost brought me to tears. ^^
Day 1... We finished a total of 124 kilometers. This is the longest ride I've ever done.
I received free lodging benefits and ordered jokbal (pig's trotters) and bossam (boiled pork slices) to eat with the kids.
The father and the kids talked, and I went to bed early.
Oh, my aching body!~~~~
Let's go, let's go, let's go. The wheels are turning, The landscape approaches.
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